Is the whole east dry? I wanted to take the kids out ti the north loop but its usually last to dry... :-(

Milford is similar to maybury or treefarm except it doesn't have all the log piles and stuff the tree farm has.

east was 95% dry on thursday. there were two trees that fell down that you had to bike around. I havent been to maybury in a while but from what I remember its pretty tight, and technical compared to IL!?

I have decided that it's time that I take advantage of all the local bike trails that are available to me.

I am not new to bicycling. I used to ride offroad some, when I was a kid with my dad. My current bike is a 2002 Giant Yukon that I bought and basically used through college, running around in urban areas. I put slick tires on it a few years ago and I use it to run around my small town. I've got racks and panniers on it.

So, I decided that I want to start doing some actual mountain biking (woods single track). I know I could swap some dirt tire onto the Yukon, but I think I'd rather just get a little newer used mountain bike for strictly off road endeavors.

I've been cruising craigslist and I have seen quite a few bikes that interest me, but I'm not really sure what will work best for me. I'd like something quality, but I don't need top of the line. I don't think I'll be doing anything very extreme. I am 5'9" with a 32" inseam (actual, not pants) .

Here are some of the bikes I'm considering:

2010/11 Trek Gary Fisher Wahoo (17.5")

2011 Giant Rincon (17")

2012 Trek 3500 (18")

2011 Jamis Allegro 1x Hybrid (19")

2011 Gary Fisher Marlin (19")

Any ideas for me? I'd like to spend less than $400 for a quality used bike.

To be honest, I'm not sure what the component spec is on any of the bikes you listed, nor am I familiar with their wheelsize (26, 27.5/650b, 29er), but for the most part as an "entry level" mountain bike I don't think that any of them are "far superior" to the giant Yukon you already own.

Unless you really just want a second bike, I'd throw some mtb specific tires on the giant and go enjoy the trails.

Unless of course your giant is in need of a complete overhaul.....

But even at that point you can put a fairly serious tune up on it for less than $200 including newer tires, espescially if you look at some used parts (and maybe even talk dirty to me to see what i have laying around).

As for sizing, the trek/garyfisher sizing at 17.5 should be very similar to my previous trek fuel 17.5 and it fit me very well at 5-10 32" inseam.

I did a quick tune up on these beauties and took them up to the island. They did the trick just fine. Think I had less than $50 into both bikes.

After that trip I got online and wanted a 29" and figured a walmart bike would suit how much I would ride. Got this for $125
I've rode it maybe five times. I like it better than the old 26er. But I really want to upgrade to a "bike store" rig next go around.

I just don't see the value in "upgrading" to that bike over your current bike. For $400 you could find a better fork than either of those bikes has, new tires, and whatever tune up bits your Talon needs to make it "trailready".

I just don't feel like you're really upgrading all that much. You're replacing an older entry level mountain bike with a newer entry level bike.

I'm not saying the Wahoo isn't a decent bike, but frame to frame you are not gaining much.

Example, I just bought sram X5 level derailuer and shifters for my son's bike, $40 (for both shifters and the rear derailuer), add in a new chain, new cassette and your at around $75.
Used I can find $150 100mm travel air forks in decent shape all day long. 5-7 years old (pretty easy to rebuild too). Tires can be found for $25-$35 fairly readily. Rather than the "promax" hydraulic brakes look around for either mechanical Avid BB5's or BB7's (more easily adjusted and perform better than cheap shitty hydraulics) or you can pick up a fairly new pair of Avid Elixer's for $100 ish (Brand new they are as cheap as $150 sometimes) and your Talon would be sporting a comparable or better build than what you're buying in that used Gary Fisher for a total of $400 invested.

I just don't see the value in "upgrading" to that bike over your current bike. For $400 you could find a better fork than either of those bikes has, new tires, and whatever tune up bits your Talon needs to make it "trailready".

I just don't feel like you're really upgrading all that much. You're replacing an older entry level mountain bike with a newer entry level bike.

I'm not saying the Wahoo isn't a decent bike, but frame to frame you are not gaining much.

Example, I just bought sram X5 level derailuer and shifters for my son's bike, $40 (for both shifters and the rear derailuer), add in a new chain, new cassette and your at around $75.
Used I can find $150 100mm travel air forks in decent shape all day long. 5-7 years old (pretty easy to rebuild too). Tires can be found for $25-$35 fairly readily. Rather than the "promax" hydraulic brakes look around for either mechanical Avid BB5's or BB7's (more easily adjusted and perform better than cheap shitty hydraulics) or you can pick up a fairly new pair of Avid Elixer's for $100 ish (Brand new they are as cheap as $150 sometimes) and your Talon would be sporting a comparable or better build than what you're buying in that used Gary Fisher for a total of $400 invested.

Well, my Yukon is a 19" frame (forgot to mention) and I've got the racks and bags on it for running around town for errands. It's also got a set of 26" x 1.5" skinnies on it. I'd like a bike that I wouldn't have to "convert" to dirt mode and I figure that I might want a smaller frame for real dirt riding (after doing some actual research on frame geometry, inseam, height, etc.)

It's a different tool for a different job situation.

Also, I've already got the guy down to $350 on the Wahoo. ;) It seems to be in excellent shape. Originally MSRP was $659 in 2010/11. Still not sure if that's a screaming deal, though.

1. Understood, I won't even comment on how many bikes I have acquired over the last couple of years. N+1 is the rule, N being the number of bikes you currently own.

2. a 17" frame will certainly be better for true trail riding than the 19"

3. Having to convert a bike for different types of riding absolutely sucks. It's a pain in the ass, and by the time you buy enough wheelsets, tires, and parts to make it a "quick" swap you might as well buy another bike.

4. $350 is getting close. I don;t think you are stealing it at that price but you aren't having a bad day.

For reference, I just sold a 2007 Specialized, Full suspension, 100mm travel, full shimano XT drivetrain, hydraulic Avid Elixir's, not the most awesome front fork, $500. Higher level components than your getting, but a few years older. Closer to a $1500 bike new.

Just found this thread...I miss peddly bikes, but just haven't found the challenging trails I was used to down in southern ohio and Kentucky where I started riding. I still have my urban assault/free ride hard tail in the garage, I think it misses me . Anybody want a new toy?

1. Understood, I won't even comment on how many bikes I have acquired over the last couple of years. N+1 is the rule, N being the number of bikes you currently own.

2. a 17" frame will certainly be better for true trail riding than the 19"

3. Having to convert a bike for different types of riding absolutely sucks. It's a pain in the ass, and by the time you buy enough wheelsets, tires, and parts to make it a "quick" swap you might as well buy another bike.

4. $350 is getting close. I don;t think you are stealing it at that price but you aren't having a bad day.

For reference, I just sold a 2007 Specialized, Full suspension, 100mm travel, full shimano XT drivetrain, hydraulic Avid Elixir's, not the most awesome front fork, $500. Higher level components than your getting, but a few years older. Closer to a $1500 bike new.

Chad I need to get my Front fork (with brain) and rear shock (with brain) serviced this year, do you know anyone that does these? I would attempt to do both but I think getting the brains serviced requires special tools/parts that you can not buy.

Chad I need to get my Front fork (with brain) and rear shock (with brain) serviced this year, do you know anyone that does these? I would attempt to do both but I think getting the brains serviced requires special tools/parts that you can not buy.

No idea, I have zero faith in any of the local bike shops in our area and I mail order all of my parts and do the work myself.